Christmas came early for the WILDLANDS’ Entrepreneurs

WILDLANDS, through a programme known as the ‘Rural Sustainable Enterprise Development and Skill Strengthening Programme’, is made possible by a grant from the Walmart Foundation. Recently, WILDLANDS handed over start up stock to 25 of our 74 program beneficiaries who are entrepreneurs at the KwaMbonambi community (Northern KwaZulu-Natal). These awards will be used by the entrepreneurs to kick start their businesses just in time for the festive season.

Thanks to the grant funding support from the Walmart Foundation, WILDLANDS has been able to support these entrepreneurs to each receive start up stock for their various businesses to the value of R8 000 each. This award came after a process of completing four-unit standards of the New Venture Creation training and pitching their business ideas to the WILDLANDS review team. The various unit standards courses covered topics which included marketing, business plan development, identifying and demonstrating entrepreneurial ideas and opportunities as well as market needs assessments.

The beneficiaries were selected into the program from WILDLANDS’ group of YES4YOUTH team members, a complementary entrepreneurship development program that is supported by Nedbank.  The top 25 most sustainable business ideas were picked, after much discussion and deliberation, to be a part of the Rural Sustainable Development programme implemented by WILDLANDS and supported by grant funding from the Walmart Foundation in the KwaMbonambi and Dukuduku areas.  This program offers additional layers of capacity development support and training. For example, these entrepreneurs will go on to receive an additional four-unit standards of business training and intensive mentorship from our small business development mentors – setting them up well to ensure a successful and sustainable small business in the future.

“We are pleased to see the continued progress that WILDLANDS is making in delivering its programme to stimulate entrepreneurship and market access opportunities for rural SMEs. These SMEs are receiving critical skills development and training, as well as related support from WILDLANDS to help them catalyse and grow their businesses. This comprehensive approach can support these SMEs to become more sustainable over time”, said Sherry-Lee Singh, Director, Sustainability, Walmart.org.

“We were very impressed by the wide range of business ideas pitched to us this year. Each of the chosen ideas were well researched, which leaves us confident that these businesses are going to be a good fit for the community. The main businesses included livestock and vegetable farming, internet cafes, catering and event décor,” concluded Sam Houghting, WILDLANDS’ Strategic Manager – Sustainable Livelihoods.

For more information on our entrepreneurs and their businesses, follow our social media pages https://www.facebook.com/WildlandsConservationTrust/ on FB or visit www.wildtrust.co.za

Curbing the rhino crisis – not all doom and gloom

With four suspected poachers recently apprehended at the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, it is no wonder that 2019 has been hailed as one of the best for the reserve. 2019 has seen great achievements for Somkhanda with 6 rhino calves born. This is an incredibly important contribution to Zululand’s rhino population and a testament to the dedication of the management team, the anti-poaching unit and monitoring teams.

At every sighting, the team on the ground realise what a priviledge it is to witness rhino in the wild. The fact that the rhino donors do not get to experience this daily but continue to support these creatures proves that there is hope for our endangered species yet.

A significant contributing factor to the demise of our rhino, other than poaching, is the loss of suitable habitat. The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) spearheaded by WWF Nedbank Green Trust and hugely supported by WILDLANDS – a programme of the WILDTRUST and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is fighting for this cause and have to date moved 216 Black rhino to new homes in Africa. In November 2019, the 13th new black rhino population was created through BRREP that saw 17 Black rhino from across South Africa being relocated to Liwonde National Park in Malawi, two of these specially selected individuals came from Somkhanda Community Game Reserve.

“This was momentous step in the fight to bring Black rhino back from their critically endangered status. Witnessing the passion and dedication from so many different individuals and organisations coming together for a common cause is humbling and inspiring,” comments Pippa Orpen, Senior Monitor of Wildlife ACT based at Somkhanda Community Reserve.

Meiring Prinsloo, Somkhanda Community Game Reserve Manager added, “This translocation means so much for conservation and is a real motivator to the team on the ground to continue the important and often dangerous work of protecting our natural heritage.”

With all the horrifying news about rhino poaching, it is easy to lose hope. But whether one is a member of the anti-poaching unit or a rhino donor or adoptee, we must remember that we are making a difference, we are contributing to the survival of these endangered species, and we should be extremely proud.

WILDLANDS, together with the Emvokweni Community Trust wishes to thank each and every donor, sponsor, adoptee for every cent and time given towards helping to conserve our wild heritage.

WILDLANDS offer a range of packages for the public to adopt the Somkhanda wildlife. Visit our website today to make your own contribution towards a ‘Sustainable future for all.’ Visit https://wildtrust.co.za/support-us/ or email Buyisiwe@wildtrust.co.za and adopt your own rhino, lion or camera trap today.